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Pinky's Westside Grill
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
144 reviews for Pinky's Westside Grill
Review Highlights
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"The white trash burger - Mmm." In 18 reviews -
"You have to try the crab puppies." In 18 reviews -
"our basket of fried pickles was the best i've ever had." In 37 reviews
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144 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew D.
5/16/2012
How can a place be an awesome biker bar and kid-friendly at the same time?
Here's a list of reasons, in no particular order, why this place f'ing rules:
**Vintage KISS pinball machine
**The crab puppies were so good that even Dylan D., the pickiest f'ing eater in the world, loved them
**Having a sleeve of tattoos seems to be a requisite for employment
**Photo booth
**Excellent, filling salads (I loved my Buffalo Shrimp)
**Good selection of beers on tap
**Good wine list -
Review from Angie P.
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Like Jules, I'm glad I waited to give a review for Pinky's. My boyfriend & I had gotten take out, I'd say early last year & I got some kind of burger and the slaw. I was not happy at all. I ended up feeling sick on my stomach afterwards.
Fast forward to yesterday, when I was in an extreme rush, hurrying from one appointment to another. It was after 1 PM & the lunch rush had died down, thank goodness. I needed the order to go & was immediately helped by a friendly waitress. Like Dion alluded to, the decor inside is fun & hip, & they had some jamming music playing. Everything looked clean.
I got the Pterodactyl burger with "everything" - mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, & pickles, along with the (waffle) french fries & a sprite. Luckily, my food came out in about five minutes & I was on my way.
I nommed away on my fries along Morehead and onto South Blvd. They were tasty! They were lightly salted & light - they weren't heavy like Chic-Fil-a's waffle fries.
Once I got to my second appointment, I dove into my hamburger. OH M GEE, it was delicious! It didn't seem heavy either! The toppings were fresh & thankfully, the onion wasn't too overpowering. The burger was juicy & cooked to perfection.
The cons: parking is limited on site. You're probably going to end up parking across the street where the tattoo parlor is - & even there, parking isn't great. The restaurant itself isn't too big either, so seating could be an issue. Ha! I have to agree with Jimmy - this IS NOT the place for the health concious! -
Review from Josh G.
Wake Forest, NC
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Man, did I want to love this place. It has a cool atmosphere, friendly service, good beer selection, and a menu that had me wanting way more than I could eat. This is just a fun place to be.
As an appetizer, we had Jalapinkies, which were quite delicious and imaginative. Jalapeños stuffed with pimento cheese, dipped in corn dog batter and fried. They were huge, but I managed to eat more than one because they good. The crab hush puppies and fried pickles we ordered were popular too.
So this seems like a fairly glowing review so far, why did I only give it 3 stars? The burger. I'm a burger fanatic and I'm always looking for new and fun burger flavors. I'm not picky, I'm not a snob, but I do have some standards.
I ordered a Triple G burger Ding Dong style. That's a 3 patty burger with crunchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw and hot sriracha sauce. It sounded amazing, but there's a snag, they only cook the burger patties to a particular doneness. OVERdone.
The dry burger patties overpowered the toppings on the burger that originally made it sound so appealing in the first place. I decided to remove a patty to see if I had less meat, would the other flavors come thru? Nope. Maybe one patty. Not much better.
I did have a bite of the bun and found the combination of runchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw and hot sriracha sauce to be a great idea. It's too bad the overcooked meat was the most dominant flavor. I was disappointed.
If this place fixes how it cooks it's burgers, it would definitely be a must stop whenever I'm in Charlotte. -
Review from Kay S.
Charlotte, NC
5/24/2012
Sit on the covered patio if the weather is nice, and don't miss the crab puppies!
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Review from Brian F.
Updated - 5/19/2012
Pinky's redeemed themselves. With a group of 7 people (some of whom were drunk) coming in 15 minutes before closing, they were genuinely happy to serves us. Two servers took our orders and got everything correct. Food was good this time around. I was one of the DD's so I know the food didn't taste good just because I was drunk.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/2/2011
This place got dangerously close to 2 stars today. I am not ready to go that low, but they deserve… Read more »
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Review from Michael D.
Charlotte, NC
Updated - 5/14/2012 10 Check-ins Here
Ohh pinky's my favorite local place. Not only is everything great. This weekend you decided to make a fried oyster po boy. That by far, was the best thing I have ever had down here. It made me feel like I was New Orleans it was that friggin good. As always the crab hush puppies were on par, but dang, make the fried oyster Po Boy part of your menu!
Listed in: West side is the best side…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2011
This place is right down the road from my house so my friend and I decided to try it. The crab… Read more »
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Review from S M.
Charlotte, NC
4/20/2012
Fun little joint to grab a bite and an adult beverage! I think every staff person waited on me! Definately not Lacking in customer service!!
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Review from Sydney A.
2/8/2012
This place is what I like to call FUNKY FRESH!
A true gem of Charlotte, with people from all walks of life and menu items that are more eccentric than the customers. Just to give you a little taste - menu items include everything from sriracha to crunchy peanut butter to wieners... what more could you ask for?!
We went for lunch today and the service was quick and helpful. Prices are reasonable and the selection is large. There are some healthy options, but why waste your time when you know you want to dive into some fried pickles or sweet potato fries. I will say there were a lot of vegan/vegetarian options - which was a nice surprise.
Overall I give this place 5 stars because it's not trying to be anything other than what it is. Plus they have triceratops toys placed inconspicuously all over the entire restaurant. Bonus points! -
Review from Jasline K.
Charlotte, NC
2/19/2012
I decided to try this place out when I was told Penguins was closed and this was the next best thing. Long story short, I've had better.
I wanted to get the whole experience in one order so I ordered chicken tenders, fries, fried pickles, and a burger.
Chicken was NOT seasoned well at all. They were little balls of some sort. The fries were ok. I rather have McDonalds. Fried pickels=delish. Burger=ok.
Have not been back since then, nor do I plan on going. Especially since I found out Penguin is open!
The decor and ambiance was nice, and the hostess was cool too. The food just wasn't up to par for me. -
Review from David K.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not only is Pinky's located on a hilariously named street, it is serving up fantastic burgers. It may not be the healthiest place, but it is definitely the heartiest. They've discovered a critical secret of burgers/food - pimento cheese makes things better. I ordered the Pterodactyl topped with pimento cheese and was pleasantly surprised with how tasty it was. The size is big but not massive, perfect for not feeling like a worthless sloth afterwards. I paired it with waffle fries which were perfect for collecting up pimento cheese that had squirted out of the burger. As far as burgers go in the area, it's difficult to beat out Pinky's Westside.
The location is in an airy space with quirky decorations, but more importantly, they had a great beer list of craft brews. So now, you're pairing great burgers with high ABV craft beers? That's a recipe for success if you ask me.
I'm eager to return to sample the "Weiner Wonderland" menu of unique hot dogs, as well as gorge myself on a burger ding dong style (because like pimento cheese and bacon, sriracha makes everything better). -
Review from Stephanie F.
Waxhaw, NC
4/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
The fried pickles are awesome and the thin slices of onion rings are so delicious. The owner is the same guy who came up with the Penguin menu. If you love the Penguin, you will LOVE PINKY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review from Denise C.
1/1/2012 2 photos
Pinky's is not somewhere you go for healthy eating. I felt like my cholesterol shot up a zillion points after eating here, but after a night of drinking, I needed it.
We ordered the fried pickles and crab hush puppies. The fried pickles were good, but the crab hush puppies were awesome. I do not eat hush puppies often, as I live in the Northeast, so to have such things with the addition of crab was just fantastic.
Wanting to do the South right, I ordered the grilled bologna sandwich "westside," with chili, slaw, mustard, onion, and then some pimento cheese. My cousins ordered the white trash burger (provolone, fried pickles, ranch) and a patty melt, respectively. Both of them had nothing but good things to say about their sandwiches.
I wasn't thrilled with the bologna sandwich, but I ate it anyway. The roll was a little too soft, which made things very sloppy - although that was probably to be part of the experience. The bologna didn't have much taste; I think I was expecting something more like Taylor ham. But it was prepared well, because my Southern cousins approved when I let them try it. As a result, I can't criticize the kitchen; it just wasn't to my personal taste. You win some, you lose some... unless we're talking about weight, which I'm sure I wouldn't lose if I lived near Pinky's.
The service was great and the prices were fair. I would like to come back and try some of their fun mixed drinks one night, as well as the Cheerwine and Sun Drop pound cake. -
Review from Joe K.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
OMG! Son.. Have you been here yet? No???!!! What's wrong with you? Didn't you see the front page picture of that sandwich? It doesn't lie and neither does the food sinking happily into your stomach. I can see where this place may not be for everyone. Namely the parking.. but.. wow. I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps with the White Trash Burger? LOL Take your calories and leave them outside. It's like diner food on the back of a Harley Davidson filled with jet fuel. Pretty cool right? I know!
This is a bar and a restuarant. There is seating outside if the weather is nice. I've even seen some hipsters bring their kids in. It's not the quietest of places so be aware of that prior to coming in. -
Review from Sara S.
Charlotte, NC
2/13/2012
One of my favorite places to eat in Charlotte.
Everything here is amazing. The hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers, crab puppies, desserts... everything! -
Review from Elizabeth A.
Charlotte, NC
1/27/2012 2 photos
COMFORT FOOD!
Pinky's is the perfect solution when you have a late night hunkerin' for greasy fries and a cold beer. I've only been here on weekday nights and I never had to wait for a table. The menu is very vegetarian friendly!
My favorite item here is the vegetarian chili cheese fries (cheddar cheese, not pimento). The vegetarian Stray Dog is okay, but not much to rave about. Even though I haven't been in love with the food here, I always come back because I like the atmosphere, vegetarian options, and late hours.
Update: finally tried the "One & Only" Veggie corndog.... that thing is OFF THE CHAIN!! Coming here way more often now! -
Review from Grace L.
1/30/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I enjoy a chill place to eat at with friends to have a good time. Pinky's is exactly the place.
The place is fairly new, and just has a nice vibe to in when you walk in. I like how they have a video game machine to play if you're waiting for a table. I'm lucky that I always have some change while waiting. I also love their photobooth snuggled in the corner. I've definitely used that before.
Now their food is amazing! Yes, a lot of friend unhealthy stuff, but the tasty goodness in your mouth is worth not counting those calories. I always order the crab puppies, everyone should at least try it out! Their fried squash is also amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first ordered it, but I'm glad that I did because I kept wanting more. The only burger that I order there is the White Trash Burger that has provolone, fried pickles and onion rings, and a spicy ranch sauce. Sounds delish right? Go and get this burger now! -
Review from Andrew S.
12/29/2011
MMMMMMMMMMMMM....
Do I really need to say more?!
Seriously, this is the place to go if you are craving something usual with a twist.
Fried pickles are great, and any of the burger options are very good. I personally love the Ding Dong Burger... it simply gives an amazing asian flair to an already good burger.
Also, if you are a corn-dog lover, then this is the place for you. These aren't your standard, buy them frozen and in bulk, and we can can stick them in the deep fryer and hope they taste good, corn dogs. These are GREAT corn dogs, with flavor in every bite, and blanketed in a great cornbread covering. Yum! -
Review from Chris L.
Charlotte, NC
3/16/2012
White trash burger. Check. Fried pickles. Check. Plenty of local and regional brewskis. Check. If only this place had an old VW bug on the roof, it would be complete...hmm.
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Review from Andy B.
12/22/2011
Was paying off a bet so I decided to take my friend here for lunch.
For those that haven't been, Pinky's occupies a restored car repair garage - has kind of a retro-Americana vibe but is also quite bright due to the lage windows. Seating is a bit tight, but overall it's a fun place.
The back story of Pinky's is the old chef from the Penguin (Greg) moved across town and opened Pinky's. As a result, some of the menu is a carryover from the beloved Penguin while other items are net new (especially the salads!). For example, the out-of-this-world friend pickles are here, as are the tasty burgers.
However, what sets Pinky's apart are the new food options - the funky burger combo's, the excellent hot dogs, and the cool vegan options (Falafel and Veggie Chili). On this visit I had a double Ding Dong burger - two 5 oz patties topped with chunky peanut butter, cole slaw and Sriracha sauce. Yes, it sounds like a weird combo, but is exceptionally tasty (think Pad Thai sauce on a burger).
My buddy had the Southern Chicken sandwich and gave it a thumbs up. Service was good, not fast but also not as inconsistent as others have found.
Overall this is a good option for those looking for a good burger, great sides and some solid items for the non-burger lover. -
Review from Daniel B.
11/24/2011 5 photos
Pinky's Westside Grill opened a little over a year ago just outside of Uptown Charlotte. This is a fun and casual bar and grill that occupies the former space of a Volkswagen garage on the corner of Freedom and Morehead. The old "Triple 'G' Automotive" sign remains outside and the owners left an old school VW Beetle on the roof of the building. The Beetle has been painted over with a design of the American flag.
Pinky's serves bar food (hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, etc.) with a creative flair. For example, you can order a burger "Ding Dong Style" with crunchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw, and spicy Sriracha sauce. They've also got "Crab Puppies" (like hush puppies, except made out of crab) and a falafel wrap, so there's some variety. Prices are very reasonable here with most entrees under $8 each.
I tried one of Pinky's most popular burgers, the White Trash Burger ($4.50). It comes with a 5 oz. patty topped with provolone cheese, fried pickles, onion rings, and spicy ranch. While the burger is not ginormous, it is pretty satisfying. I noticed the server didn't ask me how I'd like my burger cooked, just like my experience at Kickstand earlier this year. I guess it's a Charlotte thing. Regardless, the beef is good. The bun is flat and small.
The waffle fries, onion rings, and sweet potato fries are Pinky's most popular sides. I tried an order of their onion rings plus an order of their honey-cilantro slaw. The rings and slaw are served in BBQ take-out-style paper trays. The onion rings are long and stringy. The batter is a little inconsistent throughout (both crisp and soggy). When you get to the end of the tray, it's mostly large crumbs of batter.
The honey-cilantro slaw is very good. While there isn't as much cilantro as I like (I *love* cilantro), the slaw is fresh and crisp. The lettuce, onion, etc. are cut shredded into several long strands and the honey-mayo (or whatever sauce they use) is applied in just the right amount so the side isn't too strong. I'd like to try this with a hot dog next time.
While I haven't had them, my friends really like the crab puppies, falafel wrap, and "Stray Dog" (vegetarian hot dog), so those are other dishes that have a seal of approval.
Inside the restaurant, many tall windows give you a nice view of the Uptown skyline. The decor is an entertaining mishmash of all sorts of things including a Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet.
The servers are cool, the food comes out fast, and service is great. When the check comes, they have no problems separating the bill between couples and singles.
There is limited parking available in front of the restaurant. Your best bet is to park in the free lot across Morehead St.Listed in: The Queen City - Charlotte
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Review from Travis W.
10/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Had my first visit here just the other week and it was finally a dream come true. I had heard such good things I just couldn't wait to give this place a shot. I came away feeling that this place deserved the hype it's given. I love the menu, cute play on names that describe each dish and the outdoor seating is nice b/c of how you can feel the outside elements yet be protected from the weather at the same time given the fact it's actually still inside. I had the Tony Bologna (Boloney) and loved it. It's rare to be able to get a true redneck style dish around here anymore but alas this place has it!
My only suggestion would be better drink specials, everything else seemed quite perfect in my opinion. -
Review from Sam V.
Houston, TX
11/29/2011
LOVE the hushpuppies here. Enough to make it a "must visit" when I am in town visiting my gf's family. My recent visit included the Ding Dong chicken sandwich and a bite of the rueben dog, both of which had to take a back seat to the hushpuppies, so that, this time, I could finish them off (I couldn't, though). They were both really good - the Ding Dong (peanut butter and sriracha sauce) was a winner.
Sidenote: Any place that has underpriced Octoberfest seasonal beers are practically an instant win for me, anyway. -
Review from Dion L.
10/29/2011
Man at Costco: Hey Dion! How do you like Charlotte?
Me: Love it...lots to do, friendly people, the weather...great places to eat.
Man at Costco: have you been to Pinky's? Aww man, imma telling you, if y haven't, just go to Pinky's!
(This guy proceeded to tell me how fabulous the restaurant is for a good 5 minutes. Damn. I better go...I didn't want to let him down!)
Pinky's is like a traditional diner...but so much more! Loud, eclectic music, tattoos friendly servers, nice retro tiki infused decor, lots of drinks and cheap, delicious grub.
The crab hush puppies are just what everyone says they are. Deliciously soft and tender on the inside, with plenty of crab bits, nicely crisp exterior. The batter and crab is slightly sweet, and the tartar has a nice creamy tang. Big portion for the price.
Veggie chili dog: dios mio! The soy dog is dee-lonk-u-lous. I'm a meat eater, but didn't feel like the heaviness of a meat dog. The soy is slightly smoky, the chili flavorful and the slaw sweet and crunch. I like their buns, steamed and sort and perfectly squishy.
Squash Chips: my only criticism is I'd like the slices to be a bit thicker for squash taste...but other than that, also delicious. Not too much batter to weigh things down. Comes with a cool ranch.
Falafel sandwich: can run with the best of em. Flavorful, lots of depth from hummus and pickled veggies.
Banana Pudding: this is the super creamy kind-- not too yellow, lots of banana slices and vanilla wafers. The bananas were a bit too brown in some spots...but that's what bananas do when exposed to air. Delicious and rich.
The servers are efficient and friendly, will make suggestions if asked. Liked the plastic disposable plates, which made things easy and super casual. The bathroom is super clean and surprisingly upscale.
Our bill was less than $26 including a sweet tea. We left stuffed and happy and planning our next visit and what to order! -
Review from Patrick P.
Charlotte, NC
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Weird and tasty. That's the best way I know to describe Pinky's menu. Burgers with weird toppings, weird appetizers, weird names... but all quite tasty. And it's not just piles of greasy mashed together - there's some care put into the construction of the food. You actually get to appreciate the weirdness.
Parking can be annoyingly tricky, so just aim straight for the lot across Freedom and walk over.
My favorite meal here? The White Trash Burger, a side of Fried Pickles and a local draft brew. The menu is well priced, leaving you with some extra cash monies for the beer selection. -
Review from Tawana D.
Charlotte, NC
3/10/2012
I have nothing but good things to say about this place, I go by this place often when visiting family. I wanted to go in one day but wasn't too sure about the people. But today I gave them a chance and I went in well I ordered my phone to go because I was told how awesome it was. Well it didn't disappoint me at all, the fried pickles were amazing reminded me of the pickles at penguins. The hot dog I had was a true southern hot dog, just amazing. The staff were very nice very nice people, it was crowded but worth me going in to experience the food even if it was to go. Great job, love it.
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Review from Jane F.
11/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This story ends with me on my couch at 1 am, swearing I was only going to eat one of my leftover crab puppies and, of course, eating them all. And they're just as good cold as they are hot- maybe better. That is one delicious ball of yum.
Let's back up and say that I've been here before, but it's been awhile. I can't get the White Trash Burger out of my head though. That, plus the beer list and the atmosphere and you've got a winner. I still haven't tried the corn dogs but they're on my to-do list.
I know others have mentioned the parking, but it really is a big sore spot to this otherwise excellent restaurant. I had to turn around twice to be able to even get into the lot across the street (with the tattoo parlor) and then almost hit a Pinky's-bound pedestrian while I was turning in. I hate to be all Complainy Complainerson, but it really is a pain in the ass to get to. -
Review from Roxanne O.
Lyndhurst, OH
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Normally Yelp leads me to places I really like while I'm traveling for work, but unfortunately, I wasn't all that impressed by Pinky's.
The ambiance was neat - this diner-ish place is housed in a converted gas station. Loved the music that was playing and the smorgasbord of options on the menu. But my food was just meh.
Started out with veggie chili. It was ok, but nothing special. Split the falafel balls and the friend pickles with a coworker. The falafel balls seemed pretty flavorless to me and in contrast, the fried pickles were way too salty. (and this is coming from a girl who drinks pickle juice, so that tells you how salty they were)
I had a very unmemorable veggie sandwich on pita bread. I may be spoiled because where I live, fresh pita is served just about everywhere, but their pita tasted like the wonder bread of pita.
My coworker had the fish tacos. We'd been to a place the night before with really amazing tacos (hello, Krazy Fish) so he wasn't all that impressed wither.
I was also a little put off by all of the plastic/styrofoam dinnerware. I understand that they're going for the divey kind of atmosphere, but...I thought I was going to puncture my plate at one point.
Overall, this was a sub par experience. I think this would be the kind of place I'd like to drink at...but I don't think I'd ever go back for food. But at least the drive to Pinky's allowed me to see a lot of the city! -
Review from David J.
Charlotte, NC
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Burger and in-house made chips were decent, but not as awesome as I had hoped. The music and overall atmosphere is pretty loud. The service was excellent, though. Friendly servers and on top of everything. The food just feels a bit less than 'hot off the grill.'
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Review from Matthew C.
Charlotte, NC
2/10/2012
Do you like food dripping in grease? Cool atmosphere? Limited parking? and a pretty good bar setup?
Well come on down to Pinky's!
I have tried some of this cities craziest fried foods...that being said, I know if something has been cooked properly. Would you eat a steak that was a chard nugget of flesh? Well of course not! You would ask for your money back.
I was with a group of about 9 people. Each one ordered a different type of fried item from the menu. So it is fair to say we sampled everything available.
I'm not sure who was in the kitchen that day, but I'm sure they had to have never seen a how to cook anything in oil.
At the bottom of each of our baskets there was a pool of burned old oil. Literally a pool! Not just a couple drips, but tablespoons of it.
Each item had a funky taste due to the use of the old oil.
One of the most basic things a greasy spoon style establishment should have on hand is fresh cooking oil. If you can't get that right, who is to say the tap lines for the beer aren't cleaned properly?
Save your money here and head back to The Penguin or The Diamond. -
Review from Michael D.
Charlotte, NC
7/29/2011
Went here today with a few friends. The food here is pretty cheap and the portions were good. The service here was quick and friendly, we always had staff check up on our table with little disturbance to us. The music selection here is excellent, plus you can pick music from the jukebox up front! So onto the food, we shared three appetizers:
Greg's Pickles (Fried dill pickle chips) - served with ranch dip, nothing spectacular but it was pretty good.
Pimp'n Fries - melted cheese over waffle fries, if you get this ADD THE BACON, but again it wasn't spectacular or one of the best fries I've had.
CRAB PUPPIES - NOW THIS WAS AMAZING, basically these are hushpuppies with crabmeat served with a dipping sauce (I could not remember what the dipping sauce was but it was awesome). They were crispy, sweet, and deeeelicious! I'd go back to Pinky's just for these!
Then, I had their Pterodactyl burger with everything on it and cheese added. It wasn't anything special, just felt like another burger to me, plus the meat was a little on the dry side which was a little bit offputting to me, but it was a decent burger.
I want to give Pinky's 4 stars for the atmosphere and great service, but the food wasn't super amazing to me, I'd be willing to go back to Pinky's to try other items on the menu though. I'd give Pinky's 3.5 stars if I could. -
Review from Bruce K.
Cheap, Friendly Service (when needed), and definitely an awesome burger.
When I first stepped into the restaurant for a team meeting, I was noticed and greeted. I loved the feeling of the restaurant as if it was very different. I believe they converted the restaurant from a garage because I saw the garage doors as well. It was unique.
I ordered the mammoth burger, which had two five ounce patties on a burger provolone cheese and everything else. It was awesome. We also ordered some beers, I enjoyed the summer ale as well as their porters.
It's a place where I would go again and again. -
Review from John G.
Charlotte, NC
I'm not going to get into a long diatribe about this place that hasn't already been said before, so I'll keep it short and sweet...
That's some of the best food I've ever had at a transmission shop! -
Review from Will M.
Indian Trail, NC
1/28/2012
Really good place to eat anytime. The burgers, dogs, and fries are very delicious.
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Review from Mariza R.
Charlotte, NC
7/23/2011 26 Check-ins Here
A. The service is ALWAYS amazing, even if the place is packed
B. The natureboy (their veggie burger) is an awesome version of a bean burger, and you can get it any way you want it...which is a veg dream. No more boring black bean burgers or frozen veggie patties.
C. HELLO fountain Cheerwine.
I'm a pretty picky vegetarian, with a basket of food allergies, and i've never been disappointed with anything I have tried so far! -
Review from Jules S.
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have waited to post a review of Pinky's to give it a fair shake. I'm a Westside townie, so I wanted to let them work out some kinks and try some stuff before I posted.
I'm glad I did because the first couple things I ordered were not as good as expected but I persevered and found some stuff that is crave-worthy. My hubs loves the Green Chile Pork sandwich and Ding Dong Chicken Sandwich with slaw, PB and Sriracha (and the burgers). I like the fish tacos and the shrimp tacos a lot, though I can't get the honey cilantro slaw because I'm allergic. Usually they will cut up some cabbage and throw it in for me plain, which is nice. The fish is fried perfectly and rivals (gasp!) Cabo Fish Taco. Way better prepared than Cantina.
The Pterodactyl burger is good and juicy and definitely outdoes neighbor Burger Co's plain burger, but inversely, Pinky's turkey burger falls short and is a bit bland. There are lots of unique ways to order your burgers/dogs so I think you'll have happy taste buds.
Greg's Pickles are exactly what you'd expect. Lots of people LOVE the crab puppies (hushpuppies with a tiny bit of crab) but we were underwhelmed. Stick w/ the pickles or other apps. I would suggest steering clear of the falafel. The flavor was off for me- perhaps too much coriander or similar spice? I couldn't finish it.
Service is usually friendly, but food delivery is almost always slow. Don't go here if you have a tight lunch break because they are almost always slammed. Don't assume you'll get a table right away, but it's easier if it's party of 2. Luckily I can walk, so I don't have to deal with tough parking. Within the last couple months they opened their outdoor patio, so there's even more seating under a shade sail. I think you'll find it's worth it though with some unique menu items. -
Review from Rod O.
Charlotte, NC
8/20/2011 18 photos
Why start a diet on Friday? Especially since I have never been to Pinky's and Pinky's has so much that I like: Fried Pickles, Hot Chip's (not the dancers) made to order (these are the thinnest and Best Potato Chips I have ever eaten), Onion Rings (sliced very thin and very lightly battered), Hot Dogs made to order (he wrote it down and they executed it perfectly - no slaw, light on the chili, super light on the mustard, 100% Beef frank, heavy on the ONION), Fried Squash, Cheerwine Cake, Sunkist Cake. Team oriented staff took very good care of me (yeah was alone and ate it all - if you think I'm a pig consider this... Before arriving at Pinky's I ate a full lunch at 1:00pm and I got here at 2:00pm so uuuhhhh - I'm not a pig I'm a wild Boar. Sweet Tarts for dinner!
What would I recommend? Bring at least three people with you so you can have a taste of everything or just invite me and you'll be able to maintain your diet because I will eat it all! I haven't finished with their menu yet! When I go back I will get the sweet potato fries, repeat the onion rings and chips and check out something else. The Cheerwine Cake I do recommend the Sunkist cake was good though not my preference. Would definitely repeat the hot dog, maybe the fried pickles, though not the fried squash.
If you are a fan of Grease (not the movie) you may find Pinky's slightly on the light side. Though plenty greasy for me it was not as greasy as I imagined! If I say "the diet starts Monday" will you read my reviews for Monday, cause I'm going out and I doubt there will be any restraint! -
Review from Gus S.
Charlotte, NC
8/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Whenever I feel the need to punish my cardiovascular system, Pinky's is the one place I'll go to. What's surprising and pleasant about Pinky's is that for all of the heart-attacks-on-a-bun they offer, there's quite a few healthier options to choose from. I always enjoy the Green Chile Pork sandwich, marinated pork grilled with pineapple slices, melted swiss cheese, arugula and jamaican mayonnaise on a seeded bun. Delicious! And I chase that burger down with some chili fries and a PBR. I did say "healthy," right? Oh, screw it. My personal trainer can get pissed off at me all she wants.
Pinky's satisfies my craving for greasy delights, ever since the demise of the original Penguin - I still miss that joint. In fact, some of the staff from the former Penguin have made their way to Pinky's, so it's nice to see them there.
So whenever I feel the need to tell my body to go get bent, and load myself up on dripping grease and stupidly hot fried pickles, we make a bee line for Pinky's, and gladly wait for a table. It does stay crowded - seriously, I waited 30 minutes for a table at 3PM! - so get there early. Pinky's will not disappoint. -
Review from Jimmy D.
4/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I stopped by this place for lunch because I'd good things about it, especially about the crab hush puppies! Finding a parking spot was much harder than expected during the lunch rush. Even with the parking lot across the street there are not enough spots for everyone to park, along with trying to run across the street once you finally get a spot.
Walked inside and even though it was really busy, I got a seat at the bar pretty fast. Looking at the menu this is definitely not the place to go for the health conscious! Of course that's never deterred me before so I proceeded to order the crab puppies and a veggie dog. The hush puppies are amazing! Moist inside with big chunks of crab and a hot crisp layer of fried goodness on the outside that soaks up the wonderful tartar sauce. I could not get enough of these things! The veggie dog was also much better than I expected, it came with vegetarian chili and slaw and tasted almost like the real thing.
The crowd here is very friendly as well drawing in a nice variety of people from business men to bikers and families. The waiters and host were very nice and accommodating, one even opened the door for me when I was walking in. Sitting at the bar I had a fun conversation with an eclectic gentleman about how he thought we were too connected to each other these days with our fancy cell phones and gadgets.
You'll probably get a heart attack if you eat here too often, but you'll be happy doing it! As for me I'll have to plan visits here around trips to the gym so I can have some guilt free crab hush puppies. -
Review from Tricia O.
5/3/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Native Charlotteans know any place that names a burger after Ric Flair (Woooo!) is going to be good. If getting into a figure four leg lock with The Nature Boy (Woooo!) isn't your top choice of culinary entertainment, consider taking your baby to a bar with the White Trash Burger. Either way, do it right and get any of the burgers "Ding Dong Style": topped with crunchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw and hot sriracha sauce. Pure taste bud debauchery.
The nods to Charlotte icons continue with the Pterodactyl Burger, an homage to the now razed, but well-loved by Charlotte's underage citizens, alternative music nightclub which stood directly across from Pinky's Westside Grill on Freedom Drive in the late '80s and '90s.
Owners Greg Auten, Andy Cauble and Dave Rhames are former managing chefs at The Penguin, and they've brought the ever popular Greg's Pickles (nee Fried), Hushpuppies and Corn Dogs with them. They also fought to keep the Volkswagen Beetle on top of their building, which was formerly home to Triple "G" Automotive, as the remaining sign in the parking lot attests.
Choices from the menu are served up primarily by heavily inked, friendly, but way cooler than you staff. Selections from the jukebox, some of them local bands, accompany the consumption of Pimento Cheese Waffle Fries, daily specials and desserts like Cheerwine Pound Cake and specialty drinks. Framed photos of the Four Horsemen, one of whom is The Nature Boy himself (Woooo!), and NASCAR memorabilia watch over it all, reminding diners to remember their Charlotte roots.
Additional parking for Pinky's is located across the street from the location at 1600 West Morehead Street in Charlotte. (Woooo!)Listed in: Kid-Friendly Dining, Group Hug, Charlotte Favorites
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Review from Bill B.
Charlotte, NC
3/27/2011 ROTD 4/26/2011
Solid! My son J and I ate here for lunch today, after sending my wife to NY for a business trip.
As we walked in, I noticed this place has the ambience of a great American burger bar, with a Frankenstein poster on one wall, some Nascar remnants and a top of a beer making vat on the wall, and JBL speakers blasting some fine music at just the right level. A couple of muted monitors over the bar ran ESPN2 and some sports equipment infomercials.
Sitting down, we noticed the menu is varied enough to satisfy anyone. The beer list is great, the mixed drink list is intriguing, and I'd love to come here with a group of adults in search of a good time.
The smiling, artfully tattooed and nose-ringed waitress brought me a fresh cup of really fine coffee. My son had a Dr. Brown's Root Beer.
We shared a small order of fried dill pickles before our sandwiches arrived. They were piping hot, lightly breaded, and served with a cool ranch dip. I ate so many I had a stomach ache later. They were better than I remembered them from the old Penguin.
I had the Ding Dong Chicken Sandwich, a Thai-inspired concoction of grilled chicken, peanuts, lettuce, tomato, mayo, Sriracha, and other goodies on a sandwich bun. It was hot, tasty, and satisfying.
J. had a Kinda Fried Turkey Sandwich. He was stuffed and happy, having washed it down with his root beer.
The restaurant is a remodeled service station that was obviously around for a long, long, time, but it has been tastefully rebuilt, attractively furnished, and turned into a really cool, if small bar/restaurant. It was packed at noon this Sunday, with a mix of tattooed biker types, preppies, fashionable couples, and family types like us.
We'll be back with the rest of the family to sample other things on the menu. I noticed enough vegetarian-friendly food on the menu to satisfy my daughter, a very picky eater with high expectations.
